Automatic needle dispensing mechanism



Jan. 26, 1943. s. ISRAEL AUTOMATIC NEEDLE DISPENSING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 13, 1941 an warm 43" 5?. SIDNEY ISRA EL INV EN TOR.

Patented Jan. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFics AUTOMATIC NEEDLE DISPENSING MECHANISM Sidney Israel, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application January 13, 1941, Serial No. 374,211 6 Claims. (c1. ns-100.41)

This invention relates to a combined needle magazine and needle changing mechanism for phonographs and particularly for the crystal type phonographs. I

An object of this invention is to provide means for storing phonograph needles and means for removing a worn needle and replacing it automatically with a new needle, the said removing and replacing of needles taking place due to the required motion of the needle carrying arm when changing a record.

Another object of this invention is to cause the needle carrying arm, during its horizontal motion into non-playing position, to trip a spring-urged needle wedging slide and cause release of the worn needle and also to set mechanism functioning for feeding a new needle into a playing position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a key shaped through aperture in the needle wedging slide, comprising an elongated aperture continuation of less width than the diameter of the needle so that the point of the new needle will not come into forcible contact with the upper surface of the needle wedging slide on dropping thereon and will not have its point dulled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tripping device for automatically actuating the needle wedging slide for the needle changing movements when the needle carrying arm is swung a predetermined distance away from the phonograph record. With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specification.

Reference will now be had to the drawing, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top view of a crystal type needle carrying arm of a phonograph having my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, the section being taken as on line 2--2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the resiliently actuated needle wedging member.

Figure 4 is an end view of the crystal type phonograph arm and needle dispensing mechanism.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side view of the phonograph arm showing means for actuating the needle release arm.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the release arm, on an enlarged scale.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the numeral III indicates a needle carrying arm of a phonograph-and having a crystal II secured therein. The crystal has an angularly positioned needle aperture I2.

Mounted on the arm I0 is a needle storage magazine I3 having an elongated opening I4 in which needles are stacked and which terminates at one end in a vertical aperture I5. The aperture I6 is in superposed relation with an aperture I6 in the crystal II. The aperture I6 communicates with the needle aperturev I2 in the crystal and there is thus formed a passageway from the magazine opening I4 to the needle aperture I2. As shown in Figure 1, a row of needles II have been stacked in an upright position and in side-by-side relation in the opening A needle follower 20 of substantially rectangular shape is mounted for sliding motion within the elongated opening I4 and contacts the rear needle. The follower 20 has an integral sideways extension 2I passing through an elongated aperture 23 in a side wall 24 of the magazine I 3.

The needle follower 20 is actuated by a clock spring 25, the rear end of which has an aperture through which the extension 2i passes into engagement therewith. The forward end of the spring 25 is wound into a convolute coil 26 with its inner and secured to a slotted bearing pin 21.

Slidably mounted below the lower face of the crystal II is a needle wedging member 30 comprising an angularly positioned aperture 3i having the same inclination as the angular needle aperture I2 in the crystal. The aperture 2| has a narrow continuation 32 of smaller width than the diameter of a needle ll, but large enough to permit the pointed portion of a needle to freely enter therein without coming into forcible contact with the upper surface of the needle wedging member.

It is to be noted that the aperture 3i and its continuation 32 are substantially key shaped and serve to prevent the dulling of the needle point which would happen if the needle were permitted to drop directly on the upper surface of the wedging slide.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, I have provided supporting arms 35 depending from the arm I0 and extending laterally below the needle wedging member 30 and support the said needle wedging member in slidable relation below the crystal II. I have provided a horizontally swinging release arm 36 mounted to rotate on a vertical pivot 31. The release arm 36 comprises a. horizontal portion 38 having a wedge-shaped end 36 and a cylindrical extension 46.

As shown in Figure 5, the means for actuating the needle release arm 36 comprises a lever 4| pivotally mounted at 42 and having a forked end 43 in engagement with a pin 44 laterally extending from the needle wedging member 36. The upper end of the lever 4| has a bifurcated portion 46 one fork 46 of which is in engagement with the cylindrical extension 46 on the release arm 36. The other fork 41 of the bifurcated portion 46 is in spaced relation from the extension 46 a predetermined distance serving to cause a delayed action in the actuation of the release arm for a purpose to be described.

It is to be noted that by delayed action" is meant that the fork 41 of the bifurcated portion 46 of the lever 4| is in spaced relation from the cylindrical extension 46, and that a time interval will elapse after initial movement of the bifurcated portion 46 before the fork 41 will come into contact with and actuate the release arm 36. The means for actuating the needle release arm shown herein may be taken as representing any suitable means for performing the same function.

As best shown in Figure 6, the free end 39 of the release arm 36 is substantially wedge-shaped or tapering to a thin edge so as to be easily movable between thefirst and second needles in the magazine opening I4 and to push all the needles away from the first needle, that is, away from the one above the needle aperture I6, thereby releasing the pressure against the first needle and permitting it to drop through the needle feeding aperture I5 in the magazine I 3 and into the crystal aperture l6.

As shown in Figure 5, it will be seen that a through opening 46 has been provided in the side wall 49 through which the free end 36 of the release arm 36 passes into engagement with the needles in the magazine I3. As best shown in Figure 6, the horizontal portion 36 of the release arm 36 has a cavity 66 serving to provide a clearance for the first needle thereby allowing it to drop Operation of invention The operator places a supply of needles II in the opening I4 of the storage magazine I3. The follower 26 is then placed behind the last needle and the spring 26 urges the follower and the needles in the direction of the needle feeding aperture l6.

As shown in Figure 2, the used needle II is held in the needle aperture l2 by the wedging action of the wedging member 36, due to the action of a compression coil spring 62 and also due to the weight of the arm I6. One end of the spring is in engagement with an abutment 63 and the other end of the spring is in engagement with the rear end of the wedging member 36.

Mounted on a platform or fixed surface 64 of the phonograph casing is an angular tripping member 66 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 66. The tripping member 66 is held immovable in the direction of the outward swing of the arm l6 by a pin 61 fixed to the surface 64.- When the arm I6 is swung manually or automatically towards the tripping member 66, the wedging slide 36 contacts with an angular outer surface of the tripping member. This contact causes sliding movement of the wedging slide in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure l. The angular contacting surface of the tripping member 66 is of predetermined length sumcient to cause just the desired movement of the wedging member 36 and to cause the wedge-shaped end 39 of the release arm 36 to move all the needles II except the first one, away from the said first needle and permit it to drop through the aperture I6, the point of the needle dropping into the narrow continuation 32 of the aperture 3| in the wedging slide 36. When the wedging slide 36 passes the tripping member 66, the said slide is instantly released from contact with the tripping member and is moved forward by the spring 62 to intercept and wedge the now falling needle against the lower portion of the walls defining the crystal aperture I6. It is to be noted that in this position, the upper end of the wedged needle is slightly below the abutment wall 6|. It is to be noted that the tripping member 66 has a straight outer wall at the releasing point substantially parallel with the elongated needle opening I4. This direction of the outer wall has been found necessary for the purpose of instantly releasing the needle ed ing mmber 36. This instant release provides a. time element necessary for the interception and wedging of the falling needle.

0n the return of the arm l6 toward the record, the wedging slide 36 comes in contact with the tripping member 66 and swings said member about the pivot 66 without causing any movement of the member 36. It is to be noted that a very weak tension spring 66 has one of its ends secured to the pin 61 and the other end secured to the tripping member 66 and this spring brings the tripping member back against the pin. 61 when moved therefrom.

When the new needle is brought in contact with a record 66, the weight of the arm |6 on the needle will cause relative sliding motion between the walls of the needle aperture I2 and the needle, and cause the abutment wall 6| to move down into contact with the upper end of the needle.

It is to be noted that when a new needle is to" replace a used needle in the crystal, the arm I6 is swung away from the record, in the direction of the curved arrow, and into contact with the tripping member 66. The initial movement of the wedging slide 36 caused by the said contact, causes the release of the used needle I1 and movement of the fork 41 towards the cylindrical extension 46 of the release arm 36. Further movement of the wedging slide causes contact and movement of the cylindrical extension 46 and movement of the wedge-shaped end 39 of the release arm 36. This movement of the wedge-shaped end 36 of the release arm 36 causes movement of all the needles except the first one, away from the first needle and permits the first needle to drop through the aperture Hi. It is to be noted that the point of the needle droops into the narrow continuation 32 of the through opening 3| in the slide 36 and is then placed in position for playing a record, as explained heretofore.

It is also to be noted that when the pointed end of the needle drops into the narrow continuation-opening 32, that the needle is held in.a resting position in the said opening until the forward or return motion of the slide 30 moves the supporting opening 32 forward and places the large aperture 3| in position for the needle to continue its downward motion. The continuation of the forward motion of the slide quickly brings the inclined wall of the aperture 3| into position to intercept and wedge the needle in the crystal aperture l2.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described and illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a crystal type horizontally movable needle carrying arm of a phonograph and a combined needle magazine and needle changing mechanism mounted on said arm, said crystal comprising a through needle aperture having an angularly positioned lower end portion, said magazine comprising an elongated opening adapted for stacking needles in an upright position and in side-by-side relation, said opening terminating in a vertical aperture positioned in alinement with the needle aperture in said crystal, said magazine comprising a spring-actuated needle follower urging a row of needles towards said aperture, a vertically pivoted release arm having a horizontal extension with a wedge-shaped end, a resiliently actuated needle wedging member slidably mounted below the lower face of said crystal, said release arm being actuated by said needle wedging member to push all the needles away from the needle above said needle aperture, said wedging member having a substantially key shaped aperture terminating in a narrow slot and being adapted to permit the used needle to fall down therethrough when moved, further movement of said wedging member causing rotary movement of said release arm whereby a new needle from said magazine is permitted to drop through said magazine aperture into said crystal aperture with the pointed end of said needle resting in said slot and below the top of said wedging member, the real wall defining the aperture in said wedging member being angularly shaped to wedge said new needle against the walls defining said crystal aperture.

2. The combination of a crystal type horizontally movable needle carrying arm of a phonograph and a combined needle magazine and needle changing mechanism mounted on said arm, said crystal comprising a through needle aperture having an angularly positioned lower end portion, said magazine comprising an opening adapted for stacking needles in an upright position and in side-by-side relation, said opening terminating in a vertical aperture positioned in alinement with said needle aperture in said needle aperture, said needle wedging member having a substantially key shaped aperture terminating in a narrow slot and being adapted-to permit a used needle to fall down therethrough when moved, further movement of said needle wedging member causing further movement of said lever and rotary movement of said release arm whereby a new needle from said magazine is permitted to drop through said magazine aperture into said crystal aperture with the pointed end of said needle resting in said slot and below the top of said wedging member, the rear wall defining the aperture in said wedging member being angularly shaped to wedge said new needle against the walls defining said crystal aperture.

3. The combination of a crystal type horizontally movable needle carrying arm of a phonograph and a combined needle magazine and needle changing mechanism carried by said arm, said crystal comprising a through needle aperture having at least a portion thereof angularly positioned, said magazine comprising an opening adapted for stacking needles in side-byside relation, said opening terminating in an aperture positioned in alinement with said needle aperture in said crystal, said magazine comprising a needle follower urging a row of needles towards said aperture, a pivoted release arm having an extension with a wedge-shaped end, a lever for actuating said release arm and being adapted to be partly moved without moving said release arm, a resiliently actuated needle wedging member slidably mounted below the lower face or said crystal, said release arm being actuated by said needle wedging member to push all the needles away from the needle above said needle aperture, said needle wedging member having a substantially key shaped aperture terminating in a narrow slot and being adapted to permit a used needle to fall down therethrough when moved, further movement of said needle wedging member causing further movement of said lever and rotary movement of said release arm whereby a new needle from said magazine is permitted to drop through said magazine aperture into said crystal aperture with the pointed end of said needle resting in said slot and below the top of said wedging member, the rear wall defining the aperture in said wedging member being angularly positioned to wedge said new needle against the walls defining said crystal aperture.

a 4. The combination of a crystal type horizontally movable needle carrying arm of a phonograph and a combined needle magazine and needle changing mechanism carried by said arm, said crystal comprising a through needle aperture having at least a portion thereof angularly positioned, said magazine comprising an opening adapted for stacking needles in side-byside relation, said opening terminating in an aperture positioned in alinement with said needle aperture in said crystal, said magazine comprising a needle follower urging a Supply of needles towards said aperture, a release arm having an extension adapted to enter between the first and second needles of said supply of needles, a lever for actuating said release arm and being adapted to have one of its ends partly moved without moving said release arm, a resiliently actuated needle wedging member slidably mounted below the lower face of said crystal, said release arm being actuated by said needle wedging member to push all the needles away from the needle above said needle aperture, said needle wedging member having an aperture adapted to permit a used needle to fall down therethrough when moved, further movement of said needle wedging member causing further movement of said lever and movement of said release arm whereby a new needle from said magazine is permitted to drop through said magazine aperture into said crystal aperture, the rear wall defining the aperture in said wedging member being adapted to resiliently wedge said new needle against the walls defining said crystal aperture, and means for actuating said needle wedging means.

5. The combination of a crystal type horizontally swinging needle carrying arm of a phonograph and an automatically actuated needle magazine and needle changing mechanism carried by said arm,said crystal having an inclined needle opening and an abutment wall, said carrying am having an elongated needle opening, said phonograph having a fixed surface below said arm and a fixed member having a straight outer wall substantially parallel with said elongated needle opening projecting from said surface, said mechanism having a slid-able needle wedging means, resilient means urging said slidable needle wedging means against a needle, said needle wedging means having a wall of the same in-- clination as said inclined needle aperture and adapted to clamp a needle in inclined position while permitting said needle to slide upwardly into contact with said abutment wall, said slidable needle wedging means being positioned so as to be automatically actuated by said fixed member, said wedging means being adapted for releasing a used needle and for wedging a new needle when moved by said fixed member.

6. The combination of a needle magazine and an automatically actuated needle changing mechanism of the class described, said magazine having a needle feeding aperture, and a crystal having a through aperture positioned in alinement with said feeding aperture for receiving needles from said magazine, the lower portion of said crystal aperture being defined by an inclined abutment wall against which said needle automatically slides to a predetermined fixed position.

SIDNEY ISRAEL. 

